ACCA backs constitutional amendmentsThe constitutional amendments on the statewide ballot Nov. 6 have been evaluated in relation to ACCA’s policy positions, and the Association urges counties to support amendments on Forever Wild, state borrowing for economic development, removing racist language from the state’s governing document and rewrites of two articles by the Constitutional Revision Commission. For more info, please see this fact sheet.

Successful partnership with jailers Last week’s inaugural collaboration of ACCA and the Alabama Jailers Association went exceedingly well, and there is every reason to believe it will continue. A total of 177 representatives of 54 counties traveled to the AJA conference, which included two days of training provided by the ACCA Liability Self-Insurance Fund. Jail-related claims are a significant expense for the fund, and the training is designed to help member counties reduce losses. The training was also a requirement of the Safety Incentive Discount Program.

Community response to disastersThe inaugural Governor’s Community Response Workshop will be Dec. 11 at the Marriott Legends in Prattville. This one-day workshop will teach how partnerships among faith-based organizations, community organizations and emergency managers play a critical role in the “Whole Community” approach to emergency management. Topics will include: ways to enhance partnerships, guidelines to consider prior to disasters, ways to use social media during disasters, how to set up a volunteer reception center, how to begin and maintain a local Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) and how to establish a local Long Term Recovery Committee. Download a flyer and draft agenda for more details.

Professional development for county staffThe County Government Education Institute has released its 2013 schedule of courses, but there’s still time to get in one more class in 2012. General Accounting is offered next month, and Oct. 31 is the deadline to register.

Counties in the leadCounty leaders are stepping up all over on the state and even national level. Lucinda Cockrell from Sumter County has been appointed to the Alabama Historical Records Advisory Board. Mike Thornton of Coffee County has been reappointed to the Scrap Tire Commission. Ray Long of Morgan County has been appointed to the Housing Finance Authority. Butch Burbage of Shelby County has been elected chairman of the ONE SPOT advisory committee, and ACCA’s Sonny Brasfield was elected secretary of County Reinsurance Limited. Thank you for your service!